Durability

I had to replace the string in my weed-eater the other day. It struck me that I bought a package of replacement string six years ago and I still haven’t used it all! I’ve faithfully cut and trimmed the grass for six years. I haven’t skimped on using the weed-eater. I haven’t held back in my trimming activity. I’ve pushed the trimmer to its limits and replaced the string faithfully, yet, here we are six years later, and I’m just now thinking about purchasing a new supply.

That’s durability. That’s long-haul resource faithfulness. My weed-eater string has outlasted several of my neighbors, a hamster, and half-a dozen goldfish. I’ve been able to count on my weed-eater string.

In John 15:16 Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last.”

The word for “last” means “to remain,” “to endure,” “to abide,” and “to continue.” Jesus used the word ten times in John 15:4-10. He remains in us. By His grace, we remain in Him. We remain in His love and show we’re His disciples.

Jesus was making a major point. A foundational component of being in relationship with Him is durability. Jesus is a long-haul Savior. He remains in us. He abides with us. He never leaves us or forsakes us. His love and grace have staying power.

He transforms us into long-haul people. We bear each other’s burdens. We show kindness and compassion to one another. We press on in mission.

But there are obstacles to our durability as Christ’s servants. A few are:

Distraction – Being busy with many things can pull us away from what is most important.

Fatigue – Life is draining. We are finite. We get very tired.

Spiritual defeat – Everything does not always go our way. Sometimes battles are lost and we get discouraged.

Incorrect vision – We plan on short term fixes when God calls us to endure over the long-haul.

Frustration – We try to fix the problem instead of trusting God with it.

Mission Forgetfulness – The temptation to BE God overtakes our calling to serve God.

Running out of Fuel – Neglecting our personal faith dries up the spiritual overflow in our lives that leads to balanced and faithful service.

Selling Out – It is tempting to place personal comfort, recognition, and perks over faithful Kingdom sacrifice.

Are you growing in durability as Christ’s servant? Are you becoming a stronger, long-haul, worker for the Kingdom? Are you increasing in endurance as a disciple? What obstacles do you face in bearing fruit that will last? How will you abide in Christ, continue in His mission, and finish strong?